Liquid crystal display

ABSTRACT

A liquid crystal display includes: a lower panel electrode including a lower panel unit electrodes; an upper panel electrode including an upper panel unit electrodes facing the lower panel unit electrodes; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the lower panel electrode and the upper panel electrode, in which the lower panel unit electrode includes a stem portion which defines a boundary between a plurality of sub-regions therein, a center pattern disposed at a center of the stem portion and in which overlaps the sub-regions, and a plurality of micro branch portions which extends from the center pattern, where extending directions of the micro branch portions in different regions are different from each other, and an end portion of the micro branch portions is extended in a direction different from an extending direction thereof.

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No.10-2013-0095582, filed on Aug. 12, 2013, and all the benefits accruingtherefrom under 35 U.S.C. §119, the contents of which are incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

(a) Field

Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to a liquid crystaldisplay.

(b) Description of the Related Art

A liquid crystal display, which is one of the most widely used type offlat panel displays, typically includes two display panels on whichelectric field generating electrode, such as a pixel electrode and acommon electrode, are disposed, and a liquid crystal layer interposedtherebetween. The liquid crystal display displays an image by generatingan electric field on a liquid crystal layer by applying a voltage to theelectric field generating electrodes, determining alignments of liquidcrystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer through the generatedelectric field, and controlling polarization of incident light.

A liquid crystal display with a vertically aligned mode in which longaxes of liquid crystal molecules are arranged to be vertical to upperand lower display panels in a state where an electric field is notapplied among the liquid crystal displays may have a high contrast ratioand a wide reference viewing angle.

In a vertical alignment mode liquid crystal display, a plurality ofdomains having different alignment directions of liquid crystal may beprovided in each pixel to implement a wide viewing angle.

One example of a method of providing the plurality of domains is amethod of forming a cutout, such as a slit, in an electric fieldgenerating electrode. In such a method, the liquid crystal is rearrangedby a fringe field generated between an edge of the cutout portion and anelectric field generating electrode facing the edge, such that theplurality of domains may be formed.

An example of the liquid crystal display including domains in each pixelthereof includes a vertical alignment (“VA”) mode liquid crystal displayincluding the domain forming element provided at both upper and lowersubstrates, and a patternless VA, in which a micro-pattern is formed atonly a lower substrate, and a pattern is not formed at an uppersubstrate. In such a liquid crystal display, a display area is dividedinto a plurality of domains by the domain forming elements, and liquidcrystal within each domain is substantially inclined in the samedirection.

Recently, an initial alignment method, in which liquid crystal haspretilt in a state where an electric field is not applied, has beensuggested to increase a response speed of liquid crystal whileimplementing a wide viewing angle. In the initial alignment method, analignment layer in which alignment directions are plural is used, or analignment supplement agent for making the liquid crystal to have thepretilt is added to the liquid crystal layer, an electric field isapplied to the liquid crystal layer, and then the alignment supplementagent is hardened, to allow the liquid crystal to have the pretilt invarious directions. The alignment supplement agent hardened by light,such as heat or ultraviolet rays, may allow the liquid crystal to have apretilt in a specific direction. In the initial alignment method, avoltage is applied to each of the electric field generating electrodesto generate the electric field in the liquid crystal layer.

However, the alignment supplement agent, an ultraviolet ray hardeningprocess, and the like are typically used to manufactured the liquidcrystal display including the alignment supplement agent for thepretilt, such that a new process line is required and a manufacturingcost increases.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments of the invention have been made in an effort toprovide a liquid crystal display, which may be manufactured with a lowmanufacturing cost and a simple manufacturing process without additionalmanufacturing equipment of the liquid crystal display, and has highliquid crystal control and transmittance.

Further, exemplary embodiments of the invention have been made in aneffort to provide a liquid crystal display, in which a display defect,such as bruising due to external pressure, is effectively prevented.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a liquid crystaldisplay including: a lower panel electrode including a lower panel unitelectrodes; an upper panel electrode including an upper panel unitelectrodes, which face the lower panel unit electrodes; and a liquidcrystal layer disposed between the lower panel electrode and the upperpanel electrode, in which the lower panel unit electrodes includes astem portion which defines a boundary between a plurality of sub regionsdefined therein, a center pattern disposed at a center of the stemportion and in which overlaps the plurality of regions, and a pluralityof micro branch portions which extends from the center pattern, whereextending directions of the plurality of micro branch portions indifferent regions are different from each other, and an end portion ofthe plurality of micro branch portions is extended in a directiondifferent from an extending direction thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lower panel electrode may include aplurality of lower panel unit electrodes, and a width of a gap, which isa space between the adjacent lower panel unit electrodes, may not beuniform.

In an exemplary embodiment, an end portion of the plurality of microbranch portions corresponding to the border of the lower panel unitelectrodes may be extended in a direction substantially parallel to theborder.

In an exemplary embodiment, an end portion of the plurality of microbranch portion corresponding to the border of the lower panel unitelectrodes may be extended further than an end portion of the pluralityof micro branch portions corresponding to a side of the lower panel unitelectrode.

In an exemplary embodiment, a corner of the lower panel unit electrodemay be chamfered.

In an exemplary embodiment, the width of the gap may be increased asbeing closer to the corner of the lower panel unit electrode.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lower panel electrode may include aplurality of lower panel unit electrodes, and the lower panel electrodemay further includes a first connection portion which is connects theplurality of lower panel unit electrodes to each other.

In an exemplary embodiment, the liquid crystal display may furtherinclude a pixel including a first subpixel and a second which areconfigured to output an input image signal with substantially a sameluminance as each other or different luminances from each other, thefirst subpixel and the second subpixel may include the lower panelelectrode and the upper panel electrode, respectively, and the number ofthe lower panel unit electrodes in the second subpixel may be greaterthan the number of the lower panel unit electrodes in the firstsubpixel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the liquid crystal display may furtherinclude: a first connection portion configured to connect adjacent lowerpanel unit electrodes in a horizontal direction to each other; and asecond connection portion configured to connect adjacent lower panelunit electrodes in a vertical direction to each other.

In an exemplary embodiment, an angle between the plurality of microbranch portions and a horizontal direction may be less than about 45degrees.

In an exemplary embodiment, the liquid crystal layer may not include ahardened alignment supplement agent which allows the liquid crystallayer to have a pretilt angle.

In an exemplary embodiment, an opening may be defined in the upper panelunit electrode, and the opening faces the stem portion and extends alongthe stem portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the opening may have a cross-like shape.

In an exemplary embodiment, the liquid crystal display may furtherinclude: a first insulating substrate; a gate line disposed on the firstinsulating substrate; a data line disposed on the first insulatingsubstrate, where the data line crosses the gate line and insulated fromthe gate line; and a color filter disposed on the gate line and the dataline.

In an exemplary embodiment, the liquid crystal display may furtherinclude a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the dataline.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lower panel electrode may be disposed onthe color filter, and the lower panel electrode may include a firstsubpixel electrode and a second subpixel electrode, which are spacedapart from each other with the gate line interposing therebetween.

In an exemplary embodiment, the liquid crystal display may furtherinclude a first thin film transistor connected to the gate line and thedata line and the first subpixel electrode, and a second thin filmtransistor connected to the gate line and the data line and the secondsubpixel electrode.

According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, a liquid crystaldisplay may be manufactured with a low manufacturing cost and a simplemanufacturing process without additional manufacturing equipment of theliquid crystal display, and has high liquid crystal control andtransmittance.

In such embodiments, a display defect, such as bruising, according toexternal pressure is effectively prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the invention will become more apparentby describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an equivalent circuit diagram of one pixel of a liquid crystaldisplay, according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a pixel of an exemplary embodiment of aliquid crystal display, according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of the liquidcrystal display of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view illustrating a lower panel electrode and anupper panel electrode of an exemplary embodiment of the liquid crystaldisplay, according to the invention;

FIGS. 5A to 5C are top plan views illustrating exemplary embodiments ofthe invention and a comparative embodiment;

FIGS. 6A to 6C are scanning electron microscope (“SEM”) images of firstsubpixels including micro branch portions having different degrees ofextension;

FIGS. 7A to 7C are SEM images of second subpixels including micro branchportions having different degrees of extension;

FIGS. 8A to 8C are images showing transmittance of the second subpixelsincluding micro branch portions having different degrees of extension;

FIG. 9A to 9D are top plan views illustrating exemplary embodiments ofthe invention and a comparative embodiment;

FIGS. 10A to 10D are images showing a liquid crystal control degree foran intermediate grayscale in the embodiments of FIGS. 9A to 9D;

FIGS. 11A to 11D are images showing a liquid crystal control degree fora high grayscale in the embodiments of FIGS. 9A to 9D;

FIG. 12 is a graph showing transmittance increase in the embodiments ofFIGS. 9A to 9D;

FIG. 13 is a graph showing a response waveform of the embodiments ofFIGS. 9A to 9D;

FIGS. 14A to 14D are images showing a liquid crystal control degree foran intermediate grayscale having an oblique bruising characteristic inthe embodiments of FIGS. 9A to 9D;

FIGS. 15A to 15D are images showing a liquid crystal control degree fora high grayscale having the oblique bruising characteristic in highgrayscale images in the embodiments of FIGS. 9A to 9D;

FIG. 16 is a graph showing transmittance increase in the obliquebruising characteristic in the embodiments of FIGS. 9A to 9D; and

FIG. 17 is a graph showing a response waveform of a bruisingcharacteristic of the embodiments of FIGS. 9A to 9D.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which various embodiments areshown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms,and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forthherein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosurewill be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of theinvention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer tolike elements throughout.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on”another element, it can be directly on the other element or interveningelements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element isreferred to as being “directly on” another element, there are nointervening elements present.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,”“third” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements,components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms.These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region,layer or section from another element, component, region, layer orsection. Thus, “a first element,” “component,” “region,” “layer” or“section” discussed below could be termed a second element, component,region, layer or section without departing from the teachings herein.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms, including “at least one,” unless the content clearly indicatesotherwise. “Or” means “and/or.” As used herein, the term “and/or”includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associatedlisted items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in thisspecification, specify the presence of stated features, regions,integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/orgroups thereof.

Furthermore, relative terms, such as “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or“top,” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship toanother element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understoodthat relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. Forexample, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elementsdescribed as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then beoriented on “upper” sides of the other elements. The exemplary term“lower,” can therefore, encompasses both an orientation of “lower” and“upper,” depending on the particular orientation of the figure.Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elementsdescribed as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented“above” the other elements. The exemplary terms “below” or “beneath”can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below.

“About” or “approximately” as used herein is inclusive of the statedvalue and means within an acceptable range of deviation for theparticular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art,considering the measurement in question and the error associated withmeasurement of the particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of themeasurement system). For example, “about” can mean within one or morestandard deviations, or within ±30%, 20%, 10%, 5% of the stated value.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It willbe further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and thepresent disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized oroverly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to crosssection illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealizedembodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations asa result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances,are to be expected. Thus, embodiments described herein should not beconstrued as limited to the particular shapes of regions as illustratedherein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example,from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described asflat may, typically, have rough and/or nonlinear features. Moreover,sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, the regionsillustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes arenot intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and are notintended to limit the scope of the present claims.

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of a liquid crystal display,according to the invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1to 4.

FIG. 1 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel of an exemplaryembodiment of a liquid crystal display, according to the invention, FIG.2 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a liquid crystaldisplay, according to the invention, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional viewtaken along line II-II of the liquid crystal display of FIG. 1, and FIG.4 is a top plan view illustrating a lower panel electrode and an upperpanel electrode of an exemplary embodiment of the liquid crystaldisplay, according to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the liquid crystaldisplay, according to the invention, includes signal lines including agate line 121, a step-down gate line 123 and a data line 171, and apixel PX connected to the signal lines.

The pixel PX includes first and second subpixels PXa and PXb. The firstsubpixel PXa includes a first switching element Qa, a first liquidcrystal capacitor Clca and a first storage capacitor Csta, and thesecond subpixel PXb includes second and third switching elements Qb andQc, a second liquid crystal capacitor Clcb, a second storage capacitorCstb and a step-down capacitor Cstd.

Each of the first and second switching elements Qa and Qb are connectedto the gate line 121 and the data line 171, and the third switchingelement Qc is connected to the step-down gate line 123.

The first and second switching elements Qa and Qb may be three terminalelements, such as thin film transistors, and control terminals thereofare connected to the gate line 121, input terminals thereof areconnected to the data line 171, and output terminals thereof areconnected to the first and second liquid crystal capacitors Clca andClcb, respectively, and the first and second storage capacitors Csta andCstb, respectively.

The third switching element Qc may be a three terminal element, such asa thin film transistor, and a control terminal thereof is connected tothe step-down gate line 123, an input terminal thereof is connected tothe second liquid crystal capacitor Clcb, and an output terminal thereofis connected to the step-down capacitor Cstd.

The step-down capacitor Cstd is connected to the output terminal of thethird switching element Qc and a common voltage.

Hereinafter, an operation of the pixel PX will be described. First, whena gate-on voltage is applied to the gate line 121, the first and secondthin film transistors Qa and Qb connected to the gate line 121 areturned on. Accordingly, the data voltage of the data line 171 is appliedto the first and second liquid crystal capacitors Clca and Clcb throughthe turned-on first and second switching elements Qa and Qb, such thatthe first and second liquid crystal capacitors Clca and Clcb are chargedwith a voltage corresponding to a difference between the data voltageand the common voltage. When the gate-on voltage is applied to the gateline 121, a gate-off voltage is applied to the step-down gate line 123.

Next, when the gate-off voltage is applied to the gate line 121 and thegate-on voltage Von is simultaneously applied to the step-down gate line123, the first and second switching elements Qa and Qb are turned off,and the third switching element Qc is turned off. Accordingly, acharging voltage of the second liquid crystal capacitor Clcb connectedto the output terminal of the second switching element Qb is dropped.Accordingly, in an exemplary embodiment, where the liquid crystaldisplay driven by a frame inversion, the charging voltage of the secondliquid crystal capacitor Clcb is substantially constantly lower than acharging voltage of the first liquid crystal capacitor Clca such thatside visibility of the liquid crystal display is substantially improvedby differentiating the charge voltages of the first and second liquidcrystal capacitors Clca and Clcb.

Then, an exemplary embodiment of the liquid crystal display having thecircuit structure illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described with referenceto FIGS. 2 and 3. The same or like elements shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 havebeen labeled with the same reference characters as used above todescribe the exemplary embodiments of the liquid crystal display in FIG.1, and any repetitive detailed description thereof will hereinafter beomitted or simplified.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a pixel of an exemplary embodiment of theliquid crystal display, according to the invention, and FIG. 3 is across-sectional view taken along line II-II of the liquid crystaldisplay of FIG. 2.

An exemplary embodiment of the liquid crystal display, according to theinvention, includes two display panels facing each other, e.g., a lowerdisplay panel 100 and an upper display panel 200, and a liquid crystallayer 3 interposed between the two display panels 100 and 200.

First, the lower display panel 100 will be described. In the lowerdisplay panel 100, a plurality of gate conductors including the gateline 121, the step-down gate line 123 and the storage electrode line 125is disposed on an insulating substrate 110. The gate line 121 and thestep-down gate line 123 extend substantially in a first direction, e.g.,a horizontal direction, and transmit a gate signal. The gate line 121may include a first gate electrode 124 a and a second gate electrode 124b, and the step-down gate line 123 may include a third gate electrode124 c. The first gate electrode 124 a and the second gate electrode 124b are connected to each other. The storage electrode line 125 may extendsubstantially in the first direction, and transmits a predeterminedvoltage, such as the common voltage Vcom. The storage electrode line 125may include a storage extension portion 126, a pair of vertical portions128 that upwardly extended to be substantially vertical to the gate line121, and a horizontal portion 127 that connects the pair of verticalportions 128, but a structure of the storage electrode line 125 is notlimited thereto.

A gate insulating layer 140 is disposed on the gate conductors, and asemiconductor 151 is disposed on the gate insulating layer 140. Thesemiconductor 151 may extend substantially in a second direction that issubstantially vertical to the first direction, e.g., a verticaldirection, and include first and second semiconductors 154 a and 154 bthat extend toward the first and second gate electrodes 124 a and 124 band are connected to each other, and a third semiconductor 154 cconnected to the second semiconductor 154 b.

A plurality of ohmic contacts 161 is disposed on the semiconductor 151.In an exemplary embodiment, ohmic contacts 163 a and 165 a are disposedon the first semiconductor 154 a, the second semiconductor 154 b and thethird semiconductor 154 c. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, someof the ohmic contacts 161, e.g., the ohmic contact 165 a disposed on thefirst semiconductor 154 a, may be omitted.

The data conductor including the data line 171, the first drainelectrode 175 a, the second drain electrode 175 b and the third drainelectrode 175 c are disposed on the ohmic contacts 161. The data line171 may include a first source electrode 173 a and a second sourceelectrode 173 b that extend toward the first gate electrode 124 a andthe second gate electrode 124 b, respectively. Rod-shaped end portionsof the first drain electrode 175 a and the second drain electrode 175 bare partially surrounded by the first source electrode 173 a and thesecond source electrode 173 b, respectively. One wide end of the seconddrain electrode 175 b is further extends and bent in a U-shape, therebydefining a third source electrode 173 c. A wide end portion 177 c of thethird drain electrode 175 c overlaps the storage extension portion 126,and thereby forms the step-down capacitor Cstd, and a rod-shaped endportion of the third drain electrode 175 c is partially surrounded bythe third source electrode 173 c.

The first, second and third gate electrodes 124 a, 124 b and 124 c, thefirst, second, and third source electrodes 173 a, 173 b and 173 c, andthe first, second, and third drain electrodes 175 a, 175 b and 175 ccollectively define the first, second and third thin film transistorsQa, Qb and Qc, respectively, together with the first, second and thirdsemiconductors 154 a, 154 b and 154 c, respectively.

A lower passivation layer 180 p is disposed on the data conductors 171,175 a, 175 b and 175 c and exposed portions of the semiconductors 154 a,154 b and 154 c, and a color filter 230 and a light blocking member 220may be disposed on the lower passivation layer 180 p. An opening 227defined on the first thin film transistor Qa and the second thin filmtransistor Qb, an opening 226 a defined on the wide end portion of thefirst drain electrode 175 a, an opening 226 b defined on the wide endportion of the second drain electrode 175 b, and an opening 228 definedon the third thin film transistor Qc. In an alternative exemplaryembodiment, at least one of the color filter 230 and the light blockingmember 220 may be disposed in the upper display panel 200.

An upper passivation layer 180 q is disposed on the color filter 230 andthe light blocking member 220. A plurality of contact holes 185 a and185 b, through which the first drain electrode 175 a and the seconddrain electrode 175 b are exposed, respectively, is defined in the lowerpassivation layer 180 p and the upper passivation layer 180 q.

A lower panel electrode including a first subpixel electrode 191 a and asecond subpixel electrode 191 b is disposed on the upper passivationlayer 180 q. Each of the first subpixel electrode 191 a and the secondsubpixel electrode 191 b may have a predetermined shape, e.g., a shapeshown in FIG. 4, which will be described later in greater detail. In anexemplary embodiment, where an area of the first subpixel electrode 191a is different from an area of the second subpixel electrode 191 b toimprove side visibility, the first subpixel electrode 191 a may includefour lower panel unit electrodes UP as illustrated in the lower panelelectrode 191 illustrated in FIG. 2, and the second subpixel electrode191 b may include six or eight lower panel unit electrodes UP. FIG. 2illustrates an exemplary embodiment, where the first subpixel electrode191 a includes four lower panel unit electrodes UP, and the secondsubpixel electrode 191 b includes six lower panel unit electrodes UP.Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment, in which a distal end of eachmicro branch portion of the sub-pixel electrodes is expanded or extendsin a direction different from the extending direction thereof, will bedescribed.

In an exemplary embodiment, a micro branch portion of the sub-pixelelectrodes is expanded or extend in a direction different from theextending direction thereof, such that liquid crystal control isimproved, texture is decreased, and transmittance and a response speedare improved. In such an embodiment, the liquid crystal display includesthe micro branch portion, in which the region corresponding to theborder of the subpixel electrode and the region not-corresponding to theborder of the subpixel electrode are asymmetrically expanded or extendsin a direction different from the extending direction thereof such thatperformance, such as liquid crystal control, is substantiallyeffectively performed.

The first subpixel electrode 191 a receives a data voltage from thefirst drain electrode 175 a through the contact hole 185 a, and thesecond subpixel electrode 191 b may receive a data voltage from thesecond drain electrode 175 b through the contact hole 185 b.

Next, the upper display panel 200 will be described. In the upperdisplay panel 200, the upper panel electrode 270 is positioned on aninsulating substrate 210. The upper panel electrode 270 of each subpixelPXa and PXb may have substantially a same structure as the upper panelelectrode illustrated in FIG. 4. In an exemplary embodiment, where anarea of the second subpixel PXb is different from, e.g., greater than orless than, an area of the first subpixel PXa to improve side visibility,the upper panel electrode 270 of the first subpixel PXa may include fourupper panel unit electrodes UC, and the upper panel electrode 270 of thesecond subpixel PXb may include six or eight upper panel unit electrodesUC. In an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the upper panelelectrode 270 of the first subpixel PXa includes four upper panel unitelectrodes UC, and the upper panel electrode 270 of the second subpixelPXb includes six upper panel unit electrodes UC. In such an embodiment,a distal end of the micro branch portion of each unit electrode isexpanded or extends in a direction different from the extendingdirection thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, where a distal end of a micro branch portionis expanded or extends in a direction different from the extendingdirection thereof, liquid crystal control is improved, texture isdecreased, and transmittance and a response speed are improved. In suchan embodiment, where the micro branch region corresponding to the borderof the pixel electrode and the region not-corresponding to the border ofthe pixel electrode are asymmetrically extended, e.g., having differentshape or width, performance is more effectively performed in a case.

The first subpixel electrode 191 a and the upper panel electrode 270define the first liquid crystal capacitor Clca together with the liquidcrystal layer 3 interposed therebetween, the second subpixel electrode191 b and the upper panel electrode 270 define the second liquid crystalcapacitor Clcb together with the liquid crystal layer 3 interposedtherebetween, such that the applied voltage is maintained even thoughthe first and second thin film transistors Qa and Qb are turned off. Insuch an embodiment, the first and second subpixel electrodes 191 a and191 b may overlap the storage electrode line 125 to define the first andsecond storage capacitors Csta and Cstb.

In an exemplary embodiment of the liquid crystal display may include anyliquid crystal display in which the lower panel electrode 191 for onepixel PX includes a plurality of lower panel unit electrodes UP, and theupper panel electrode 270 for one pixel PX includes a plurality of upperpanel unit electrodes UC. The number of lower panel unit electrodes UPor upper panel unit electrodes UC included in one pixel PX may varybased on a liquid crystal control according to the structure and thearea of the pixel PX. Here, an exemplary embodiment, where the fourlower panel unit electrodes UP connected to each other and the fourupper panel unit electrodes UC connected to each other will be describedin detail for convenience of description, but the invention is notlimited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 4, the plurality of lower panel unit electrodes UP areconnected to each other through the connection portion 192. Theconnection portion 192 may be positioned on an extended line ofcross-shaped stem portions 195 and 197 of the lower panel unit electrodeUP. A space between the lower panel unit electrodes UP adjacent in thesecond direction, that is, the vertical direction, defines a horizontalgap 95, and a space between the lower panel unit electrodes UP adjacentin the first direction, that is, the horizontal direction, defines avertical gap 97.

The plurality of upper panel unit electrodes UC is connected to eachother. Cross-shaped openings 75 and 77 (e.g., openings having across-like shape) of the upper panel unit electrodes UC adjacent in thefirst direction or the second direction may be connected to each other.In such an embodiment, end portions of the cross-shaped openings 75 and77 adjacent to a side of the upper panel electrode 270 may be spacedapart from the side of the upper panel electrode 270 to form aconnection portion 274. That is, four sub regions divided by thecross-shaped openings 75 and 77 in each upper panel unit electrode UCmay be connected to each other through the connection portion 274.

The liquid crystals positioned in the region of the horizontal gap 95 orthe vertical gap 97, which is a space between the adjacent lower panelunit electrodes UP, may not have a uniform inclination direction, andmay be inclined in both directions substantially parallel to theextending direction of the horizontal gap 95 or the vertical gap 97.Accordingly, the liquid crystals in the region of the horizontal gap 95or the vertical gap 97 are controlled in a different direction from theliquid crystals in the sub region in which the micro branch portion 199of the lower panel electrode 191 is disposed. In such an embodiment,when pressure is applied to the display panel of the liquid crystaldisplay displaying an image from the outside, the arrangement directionsof the liquid crystals around the horizontal gap 95 or the vertical gap97, which are in disorder or not in uniformly arranged, may collide witheach other, such that texture may be generated, and the texture may beviewed as bruising when the directions of the liquid crystals around thehorizontal gap 95 or the vertical gap 97 are not restored even thoughthe external pressure is removed. In such an embodiment, the arrangementof the liquid crystals around the horizontal gap 95 or the vertical gap97 influences the liquid crystals therearound by the external pressure,such that disorder of the arrangement of the liquid crystals may occurin the liquid crystals in an area around the horizontal gap 95 or thevertical gap 97. Accordingly, the texture is spread, and the spreadtexture may be viewed as bruising even after the external pressure isremoved. The bruising may be substantially severe when the display imagehas a high grayscale.

In an exemplary embodiment, where the lower panel electrode has a shapeillustrated in FIG. 4, the generation of the bruising due to the textureleft even after the external pressure is removed, is effectivelyprevented or the bruising is rapidly removed.

Referring again to FIG. 4, in an exemplary embodiment, the lower panelelectrode 191 for one pixel PX includes a center pattern 198 positionedat a center portion of the cross-shaped stem portions 195 and 197 ofeach lower panel unit electrode UP. In one exemplary embodiment, forexample, the center pattern 198 has a rhombus shape, and each edge sidemay have an oblique angle with respect to the extending directions ofthe cross-shaped stem portions 195 and 197. In such an embodiment, adirection of the edge side of the center pattern 198 and a direction, inwhich the micro branch portion 199 is extended, may form an angle ofabout a right angle or about 90 degrees.

As described above, in an exemplary embodiment, where the center pattern198 is provided at a center portion of the cross-shaped stem portions195 and 197 of each lower panel unit electrode UP, a fringe fieldgenerated by the edge side of the center pattern 198 influences to thearea around the horizontal gap 95 or the vertical gap 97, therebysubstantially improving liquid crystal control. Accordingly, in such anembodiment, the generation of the bruising due to the texture may beeffectively removed or suppressed, even after the external pressure isremoved.

In an exemplary embodiment, a length of the micro branch portion 199 ofthe lower panel unit electrode UP is short, a liquid crystal control bythe fringe field formed by the end portion of the micro branch portion199 and a liquid crystal control at the area around the horizontal gap95 or the vertical gap 97 may be improved. In such an embodiment, as asize of the center pattern 198 is increased in the lower panel unitelectrode UP, an area of which is predetermined or limited, the lengthof the micro branch portion 199 becomes shorter, and the effect of thecenter pattern 198 is there greater than an effect of the micro branchportion 199 at the area around the horizontal gap 95 or the vertical gap97, thereby further decreasing the generation of the bruising due to theexternal pressure.

In an exemplary embodiment, the upper panel electrode 270 of a pixel PXmay include a center opening 78 defined at the center portion of thecross-shaped openings 75 and 77 of each upper panel unit electrode UC.In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the center opening 78 has arhombus shape, and each side edge of the center opening 78 may have anoblique angle with respect to the extending direction of thecross-shaped stem portions 195 and 197. In such an embodiment, adirection of the edge side of the center opening 78 and a direction, inwhich the micro branch portion 199 is extended, may form an angel ofabout a right angle or about 90 degrees.

In an exemplary embodiment, as described above, the center opening 78 isdefined in the upper panel electrode 270, and the fringe field by theedge side of the center opening 78 influences to the area around thehorizontal gap 95 or the vertical gap 97, thereby substantiallyimproving the liquid crystal control. Accordingly, the generation of thebruising due to the texture even after the external pressure is removedis effectively removed or suppressed.

In an exemplary embodiment, a portion of four corner portions of eachlower panel unit electrode UP may be chamfered as shown by the dottedcircle in FIG. 4. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the fourcorners of the each lower panel unit electrode UP may be chamfered asshown in FIG. 4. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, a centerportion of the lower panel electrode 191, that is, a corner of eachlower panel unit electrode UP positioned at a center portion, at whichthe four lower panel unit electrodes UP are disposed adjacent to eachother, may not be chamfered.

A length of the chamfered corner may be in a range of about 10micrometers (μm) to about 15 μm, but not being limited thereto.

In an exemplary embodiment, where the corner portion of the lower panelunit electrode UP is chamfered as described above, the end portion ofthe micro branch portion 199 is cut, such that the length of arelatively long micro branch portion among the micro branch portions 199may be decreased. Accordingly, the influence of the fringe field by theend portion of the shortened micro branch portion 199 as described aboveis substantially effectively transferred to the area around thehorizontal gap 95 or the vertical gap 97, thereby improving liquidcrystal control. In such an embodiment, the end portion of the microbranch portion 199 at the chamfered corner has substantially the obliqueangle with the horizontal stem portion 195 or the vertical stem portion197, thereby improving liquid crystal control in a directionsubstantially parallel to the extension direction of the micro branchportion 199. Accordingly, in such an embodiment, the bruising due to theexternal pressure is effectively prevented or rapidly removed.

In an exemplary embodiment, a shape of the horizontal gap 95 or thevertical gap 97 of the lower panel electrode 191 may be substantiallyinconstant or non-uniform. According to an exemplary embodiment, an edgeof the horizontal gap 95 or the vertical gap 97 is not parallel but isoblique to the horizontal direction or the vertical direction, to forman oblique angle. In such an embodiment, a width (e.g., a length in adirection substantially perpendicular to an extending direction) of thehorizontal gap 95 or the vertical gap 97 is not uniform, and may varydepending on a position.

In one exemplary embodiment, for example, a width of the horizontal gap95 or the vertical gap 97 may be smallest at an area around theconnection portion 192, and the width thereof may be increased as thehorizontal gap 95 or the vertical gap 97 moves away from the connectionportion 192. That is, the width of the horizontal gap 95 or the verticalgap 97 may be decreased as being closer to the cross-shaped stemportions 195 and 197, and the width thereof may be increased as beingcloser to the corner of the lower panel unit electrode UP. Accordingly,the width of the horizontal gap 95 or the vertical gap 97 may be maximumat the center portion of the lower panel electrode 191, that is, thecenter portion at which the four lower panel unit electrodes UP aredisposed adjacent to each other, or the corner portion of the lowerpanel unit electrode UP. In such an embodiment, the width of thehorizontal gap 95 or the vertical gap 97 may be maximum at the areaaround the edge of the lower panel electrode 191.

As described above, when the edges or sides of the horizontal gap 95 orthe vertical gap 97 of the lower panel electrode 191 is not uniform ornot substantially parallel to each other, the liquid crystals positionedat the region of the horizontal gap 95 or the vertical gap 97 may beinclined in the direction, which is not parallel to the horizontaldirection or the vertical direction. Accordingly, the liquid crystal atthe area around the horizontal gap 95 or the vertical gap 97 arecontrolled and inclined to a direction substantially close to theextending direction of the adjacent micro branch portion 199, therebydecreasing texture around the horizontal gap 95 or the vertical gap 97.Accordingly, the generation of the bruising may be effectively preventedor the bruising, left after the external pressure is applied and thenthe pressure is removed, may be rapidly removed.

Further, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the endportion (e.g., the distal end portion) of the micro branch portion ofthe lower panel electrode 191 is expanded or extended in a directionalong a side of the lower panel electrode 191. As shown in the microbranch portion of FIG. 4, a width of the end portion of the micro branchportion is not constant, and the micro branch portion is extended toboth opposing directions along the side at the end portion. In such anembodiment, the micro branch portion of the lower panel electrode isuniformly expanded to the both opposing directions along a side thereof,but not being limited thereto. In an alternative exemplary embodiment,the micro branch portion of the lower panel electrode may be extended toone of the both opposing directions at the side. In such an embodiment,the texture is decreased through the expanded micro branch portion, andtransmittance is substantially improved through a partial extension ofthe lower panel electrode 191.

A degree of the extension may be determined based on the width of themicro branch portion. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, thewidth of the micro branch portion is in a range of about 0.3 μm to about1.2 μm, or may be in a range of about 0.5 μm to about 1.0 μm.

In an exemplary embodiment, only some of the plurality of micro branchportions may be extended. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, amicro branch portion chamfered while having 45 degrees with thehorizontal stem portion, a region near which the generation of thetexture is slight, may not be extended.

Degrees of the extension of the extended micro branch portions may bedifferent from each other. In an exemplary embodiment, all of the microbranch portions are not equally extended. In one exemplary embodiment,for example, the micro branch portion corresponding to the border ofeach pixel may be extended greater than the micro branch portion whichdoes not correspond to the border of each pixel. As described above, inan exemplary embodiment, the micro branch portion is not uniformlyextended, and liquid crystal control and an oblique line bruisingremoval effect are further improved.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lower panel electrode may have variousshapes including the aforementioned configuration. Hereinafter, anexemplary embodiment and a comparative embodiment will be described withreference to FIGS. 5A and 5C.

FIG. 5A is a plan view showing a comparative embodiment, in which thelower panel electrode includes a chamfered shape and a width of the gapbetween the lower panel unit electrodes is uniform, FIG. 5B is a planview showing an exemplary embodiment, in which the lower panel electrodeincludes a chamfered shape, a width of the gap between the lower panelunit electrodes is not uniform, and a degree of extension of the microbranch portion is uniform, and FIG. 5C is a plan view showing anotherexemplary embodiment, in which a lower panel electrode includes achamfered shape, a width of a gap between the lower panel unitelectrodes is not uniform, and a degree of extension of the micro branchportion is not uniform. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5C, adegree of extension of the micro branch portion positioned at an outerside is greater than a degree of extension of the micro branch portionpositioned at an internal side. In FIGS. 5A to 5C merely show a fewexemplary embodiment of the invention, and the invention is not limited,and may have any combination of the aforementioned configurations.

FIGS. 6A to 6C are scanning electron microscope (“SEM”) images of firstsubpixels including micro branch portions having different degrees ofextension, FIGS. 7A to 7C are SEM images of second subpixels includingmicro branch portions having different degrees of extension, and FIGS.8A to 8C are images showing transmittance of the second subpixelsincluding the micro branch portions having different degrees ofextension.

Particularly, FIGS. 6A and 7A show an comparative embodiment in whichthe micro branch portions of the first subpixel and the second subpixelare not extended, FIGS. 6B and 7B show an exemplary embodiment in whichall of the micro branch portions of the first subpixel and the secondsubpixel are extended, and FIGS. 6C and 7C show another exemplaryembodiment in which the micro branch portions of the first subpixel arenot extended and only the micro branch portions of the second subpixelare extended.

In each of the embodiments shown in the SEM images of FIGS. 6A to 7C,when the end portion of the micro branch portion of the first subpixelis expanded, transmittance is improved in an embodiment where the microbranch portions are extended, as illustrated in FIGS. 6B, 7B and 7C.

FIG. 8A is an image showing transmittance of the second subpixelelectrode of an embodiment in which the micro branch portions of thefirst subpixel electrode and the second subpixel electrode are notextended, FIG. 8B is an image showing transmittance of the secondsubpixel electrode of an embodiment in which all of the micro branchportions of the first subpixel electrode and the second subpixelelectrode are extended, and FIG. 8C is an image of transmittance of thesecond subpixel electrode of an embodiment in which the micro branchportion of the first subpixel electrode is not extended and only themicro branch portion of the second subpixel electrode is extended.

As shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C, a generation of texture is decreased in theembodiments shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C where the micro branch portion areextended, compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. 8A where the microbranch portion is not extended, and the extended region in FIGS. 8B and8C is viewed brighter than the non-extended region in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A to 9D are top plan views illustrating exemplary embodiments ofthe invention and a comparative embodiment, FIGS. 10A to 10D are imagesshowing a liquid crystal control degree for an intermediate grayscale ofthe embodiments of FIGS. 9A to 9D, FIGS. 11A to 11D are images showing aliquid crystal control degree for a high grayscale of the embodiments inFIGS. 9A to 9D, FIG. 12 is a graph showing transmittance increase in theembodiments of FIGS. 9A to 9D, and FIG. 13 is a graph showing a responsewaveform of the embodiments of FIGS. 9A to 9D.

Further, FIGS. 14A to 14D are images showing a liquid crystal controldegree for an intermediate grayscale having an oblique bruisingcharacteristic in the embodiments of FIGS. 9A to 9D, FIGS. 15A to 15Bare images showing a liquid crystal control degree for a high grayscalehaving the oblique bruising characteristic in high grayscale images inthe embodiments of FIGS. 9A to 9D, FIG. 16 is a graph showingtransmittance increase for the oblique bruising characteristic in theembodiments of FIGS. 9A to 9D, and FIG. 17 is a graph showing a responsewaveform for a bruising characteristic of the embodiments of FIGS. 9A to9D.

Particularly, FIG. 9A shows an comparative embodiment in which the lowerpanel unit electrode includes a chamfered shape, and the micro branchportion is not extended, FIG. 9B shows an exemplary embodiment of theinvention, in which the region of the micro branch portion correspondingto the border of the pixel electrode, here, an upper border and a leftborder, is extended by about 0.5 μm, FIG. 9C shows an alternativeexemplary embodiment of the invention, in which only the region of themicro portion corresponding to the border of the pixel electrode isextended by about 1 μm, and FIG. 9D shows another alternative exemplaryembodiment of the invention, in which the region of the micro branchportion corresponding to the border of the pixel electrode is extendedby about 1 μm, and the region of the micro branch portion of the rightand lower border, which does not correspond to the border of the pixelelectrode is extended by about 0.5 μm.

As described above, FIGS. 10A to 10D are images showing a liquid crystalcontrol degree for an intermediate grayscale in the embodiments of FIGS.9A to 9D, FIGS. 11A to 11D are images showing a liquid crystal controldegree for a high grayscale in the embodiments of FIGS. 9A to 9D. Asshown in FIGS. 10A to 11D, the generation of the texture issubstantially decreased in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9B, 9C and 9Dincluding the extended micro branch portion, compared to the embodimentsshown in FIG. 9A. In an exemplary embodiment, where the micro branchportion at both the outer side and the internal side are extended, theliquid crystal control is substantially improved when the degrees of theextension are different as shown in FIG. 9D, such that the generation ofthe texture in a boundary region is substantially decreased.

FIG. 12 shows relative transmittance, e.g., relative luminance (“Lum”),for each case of FIGS. 9A to 9D. When transmittance of FIG. 9A is about100%, transmittance of FIG. 9B is about 100.4%, transmittance of FIG. 9Cis about 100.7%, and transmittance of FIG. 9D is about 101.4%. That is,transmittance is increased by a maximum of about 1.4% in the embodimentwhere the micro branch portion is extended.

FIG. 13 shows a response waveform graph for each embodiment of FIGS. 9Ato 9D, and the comparative embodiment of FIG. 9A, in which the microbranch portion is not extended, represents the slowest responsewaveform, and a response speed is improved in the order of FIGS. 9B, 9Cand 9D. Particularly, the exemplary embodiment of the invention of FIG.9B represents the response speed having substantially the same degree asthe embodiment of FIG. 9A, but the response speed in the exemplaryembodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 9D including the non-uniformextension is improved by about 6.4% or more, compared to the comparativeembodiment shown in FIG. 9A.

As described above, when the pixel electrode includes the extended microbranch portion, the response speed is increased, and the response speedis substantially improved in an exemplary embodiment where the outerside and the internal side of the micro branch portion are extended andthe degrees of the extension are different or non-uniform.

In FIGS. 14A to 14D, an oblique bruising characteristic in anintermediate grayscale for each embodiment of FIGS. 9A to 9D are shown,and in FIGS. 15A to 15D, an oblique bruising characteristic in a highgrayscale for each embodiment of FIGS. 9A to 9D are shown. As shown inFIGS. 14A to 14D, the liquid crystal control becomes substantiallyuniform in the exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 9Dcompared to the comparative embodiment shown in FIG. 9A. As shown inFIGS. 14A to 14D, the texture positioned at the upper side in theintermediate grayscale is substantially removed in the exemplaryembodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 14D compared to thecomparative embodiment shown in FIG. 14A. Similarly, as shown in FIGS.15A to 15D, the texture positioned at the upper side in the highgrayscale is substantially removed in the exemplary embodiment of theinvention shown in FIG. 15D compared to the comparative embodiment shownin FIG. 15A.

The graph shown in FIG. 16 represents relative transmittance of theembodiments shown in FIGS. 9A to 9D based on the oblique bruisingcharacteristic. As shown in FIG. 16, when the comparative embodimentshown in FIG. 9A has a reference transmittance, e.g., relativetransmittance of 100%, the exemplary embodiment of the invention shownin FIG. 9B has relative transmittance of 100.8%, the exemplaryembodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 9C has relative transmittanceof about 101.2%, and the exemplary embodiment of the invention shown inFIG. 9D has relative transmittance of about 101.7%. Accordingly, thetransmittance is improved by a maximum of about 1.7% in the exemplaryembodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 9D in which the micro branchportion is asymmetrically extended, compared to the comparativeembodiment shown in FIG. 9A, where the micro branch portion is notextended.

Further, FIG. 17 illustrates a response waveform for a bruisingcharacteristic of the embodiments of FIGS. 9A to 9D, and the responsespeed is improved in an order from FIG. 9A to FIGS. 9B, 9C, and 9D. Asshown in FIG. 17, the response speed is improved by about 3.6% in theexemplary embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 9D, compared to thecomparative embodiment shown in FIG. 9A.

According exemplary embodiments described herein, where the micro branchportion is extended, the liquid crystal control is substantiallyimproved, the texture is substantially decreased, and the transmittanceand the response speed are substantially improved. In such embodiment,where the liquid crystal display includes the micro branch portion inwhich the region corresponding to the border of the unit pixelelectrodes and the region not-corresponding to the border of the unitpixel electrodes are asymmetrically extended, the liquid crystal controlis substantially improved, the texture is substantially decreased, andthe transmittance and the response speed are substantially improved.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A liquid crystal display, comprising: a lowerpanel electrode comprising a lower panel unit electrode; an upper panelelectrode comprising an upper panel unit electrodes, which face thelower panel unit electrode; and a liquid crystal layer disposed betweenthe lower panel electrode and the upper panel electrode, wherein thelower panel unit electrode comprises: a stem portion which defines aboundary between a plurality of sub-regions defined therein; a centerpattern disposed at a center of the stem portion and which overlaps theplurality of sub-regions; and a plurality of micro branch portions whichextends from the center pattern, wherein extending directions of theplurality of micro branch portions in different regions are differentfrom each other, and wherein an end portion of the plurality of microbranch portions is extended in a direction different from an extendingdirection thereof.
 2. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, wherein thelower panel electrode comprises a plurality of lower panel unitelectrodes, and a width of a gap, which is a space between adjacentlower panel unit electrodes, is substantially non-uniform.
 3. The liquidcrystal display of claim 1, wherein the lower panel electrode comprisesa plurality of lower panel unit electrodes, and an end portion of theplurality of micro branch portions corresponding to a border of theplurality of lower panel unit electrodes is extended in a directionsubstantially parallel to the border.
 4. The liquid crystal display ofclaim 3, wherein an end portion of the plurality of micro branchportions corresponding to the border of the plurality of lower panelunit electrodes is extended further than an end portion of micro branchportions corresponding to a side of the lower panel unit electrode. 5.The liquid crystal display of claim 1, wherein a corner of the lowerpanel unit electrode is chamfered.
 6. The liquid crystal display ofclaim 5, wherein the lower panel electrode comprises a plurality oflower panel unit electrodes, a width of a gap, which is a space betweenadjacent lower panel unit electrodes, is increased as being closer tothe corner of the plurality of lower panel unit electrodes.
 7. Theliquid crystal display of claim 1, wherein the lower panel electrodecomprises a plurality of lower panel unit electrodes, the lower panelelectrode further comprises a first connection portion which connectsthe plurality of lower panel unit electrodes to each other.
 8. Theliquid crystal display of claim 1, further comprising: a pixelcomprising a first subpixel and a second subpixel, which are configuredto output an input image signal with substantially a same luminance aseach other or different luminances from each other, the first subpixeland the second subpixel comprises the lower panel electrode and theupper panel electrode, respectively, the lower panel electrode comprisesa plurality of lower panel unit electrodes, and the number of the lowerpanel unit electrodes in the second subpixel is greater than the numberof the lower panel unit electrodes in the first subpixel.
 9. The liquidcrystal display of claim 8, further comprising: a first connectionportion configured to connect adjacent lower panel unit electrodes in ahorizontal direction to each other; and a second connection portionconfigured to connect adjacent lower panel unit electrodes in a verticaldirection to each other.
 10. The liquid crystal display of claim 1,wherein an angle between the plurality of micro branch portions and ahorizontal direction is less than about 45 degrees.
 11. The liquidcrystal display of claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal layer does notinclude a hardened alignment supplement agent which allows the liquidcrystal layer to have a pretilt angle.
 12. The liquid crystal display ofclaim 1, wherein an opening is defined in the upper panel unitelectrode, and the opening faces the stem portion and extends along thestem portion.
 13. The liquid crystal display of claim 12, wherein theopening has a cross-like shape.
 14. The liquid crystal display of claim1, further comprising: a first insulating substrate; a gate linedisposed on the first insulating substrate; a data line disposed on thefirst insulating substrate, wherein the data line crosses the gate lineand insulated from the gate line; and a color filter disposed on thegate line and the data line.
 15. The liquid crystal display of claim 14,further comprising: a thin film transistor connected to the gate lineand the data line.
 16. The liquid crystal display of claim 14, whereinthe lower panel electrode is disposed on the color filter, and the lowerpanel electrode comprises a first subpixel electrode and a secondsubpixel electrode, which are spaced apart from each other with the gateline interposing therebetween.
 17. The liquid crystal display of claim16, further comprising: a first thin film transistor connected to thegate line and the data line and the first subpixel electrode; and asecond thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data lineand the second subpixel electrode.